Cost of Living in Mauritania

Are you planning to visit or relocate to Mauritania and you are wondering about the cost of living in Mauritania?  Or you've just arrived in Mauritania, and you probably do not speak French or Arabic?

Most Mauritanians speak Hasaniyah, a local dialect, as well as other tribal languages spoken by Mauritanians who migrated from neighboring West African countries many years ago. Less than half the population speaks Arabic fluently, with a lesser population who speak French. This is something that may leave you shocked since it is an Islamic country with Arabic and French as its official language.  Many, however, read and write fluently in Arabic, so your translator application would come in handy.

As an English speaker, navigating Mauritania can be problematic although most of the locals would be patient enough to try to understand your sign languages and wait patiently for you to translate. The best favor you can do for yourself is to learn numbers in French as this would be of great help when shopping. Numbers pronounced in French are used widely to calculate prices and it helps to also know the difference between the old and new money system in Mauritania. 

Understanding the Mauritanian monetary system

Before we delve into our main subject matter in this article which is the cost of living in Mauritania, you should be aware that the Mauritania government changed its monetary system. In a simple explanation below:

     

Ouguiya is the name of the Mauritania currency and is often denoted with the symbol “MRU.” The previous symbol was “MRO”. 

20 old money (MRO) is 2 (MRU) new money.

500 old money  (MRO) is 50 (MRU) new money. 

1000 old money (MRU) is 100 (MRU) also known as new money. 

2500 old money (MRO) is 250 (MRU) also known as new money. 

15,000 old money (MRO) is 1,500 (MRU) new money.

150,000 old money (MRO) is 15,000 (MRU) new money. 

Have this in mind so you can easily calculate how much you are spending from Ouguiya to USD or Euro.

Now back to the cost of living in Mauritania and how to shop like a local in Mauritania. Mauritania is a cheap country to live in, and it may seem otherwise for you as a foreigner as locals would not hesitate to give you “foreigner” prices,  but all these would change when they realize that you are aware of the real prices. 

This article may not have much meaning to you if you are the type that has a lot of dollars and euros to spend, but with worldwide inflation and a thrifty personality, saving a few dollars can make a difference. 

How to shop like a local in Mauritania 

From apartment rental to toothpick shopping, I have compiled a list of necessities and their local-friendly prices so you can shop like a local in Mauritania.

Apartment rentals

Furnished apartments in Tevragh Zeina usually go for as low as 1500 MRU (15,000 MRO) per day to 3,500 MRU (35,000 MRO)  ($37.89 - $88.41).

Unfurnished 1 bedroom apartments in some areas of Nouakchott (the capital city) like Al Dar-Naim can go for as low as 4,500 MRU per month to 80,000 MRU ($113.67 - $202.08) per month and as low as 10,000 MRU  ($252.61) in more development areas of the capital.  

Nouakchott, the capital city, is divided into east, west, north, and south, and some places are more foreigner-friendly than others when renting an apartment. 

Tevargh Zeina, Ksar, Teyarett, and Toujounine are more foreigner-friendly. Riyadh, Arafat, El Mina, and Al Dar-Naim are relatively cheaper locations with lesser development and opportunities, extra affordable houses, and a less welcoming environment for foreigners (less safe).

Tevargh Zeina

It is a choice location for expats, embassies, international schools, businesses, companies, the presidential palace, and the elite of the society.  

Unfurnished 1-bedroom apartments with living room, sitting room, and sometimes an extra room that can be converted to a bedroom in Tevragh Zeina can cost as low as 10,000 MRU (100,000 MRO) per month with an unfurnished 2 bedroom with living room, sitting room, open extra room with/without garage and a courtyard going for 16,000 MRU (160,000 MRO) to 20,000 MRU (200,000 MRO). 

Ksar

Ksar is another strong contender with Tevargh Zeina in terms of development and amenities. You can get a 1-bedroom apartment in this area for 9,000 MRU (90,000 MRO) and a 2-bedroom apartment for 12,000 MRU (120,000 MRO) and above.

Teyarett 

Teyarett is a popular choice for the middle class, with a high pool of middle-class foreigners from different parts of Africa living in this location. 1 bedroom apartments here can go for 8,000 MRU - 10,000 MRU (80,000 - 100,000 MRO).

Toujounine 

Toujounine on the other hand is closer to Al Dar-Naim and an hour's distance to Tevaragh Zeina. It is renowned for its clusters of Arabic/Islamic teachers, affordable housing, safety, and an ever-growing community of foreigners who relocate to Mauritania to learn Arabic and the Quran the traditional way. 

It provides a balance between traditional Islamic study patterns and a modern way of life with a stable electricity supply, available water supply, and a 70% good internet connection.  This is often a better choice for students who do not want to live in remote areas of Mauritania while studying Arabic/Quran.

Apartments here are cheap, and electricity, water, and internet work fine, but the farther you go into Toujounine, the more the availability of these amenities fluctuates.  Unfurnished 1 bedroom apartments can go for as low as 6,000 MRU - 9,000 MRU  (60,000 - 90,000 MRO).

Al Dar-Naim 

It Is not foreign friendly with more cases of foreigners being robbed and attacked. Its perks are that it has very good unfurnished 1 bedroom apartments and duplexes that go from  5,000 MRU - 7000 MRU (50,000 MRO - 70,000 MRO).

Some apartments in Nouakchott are shared. That is, you may have a fellow tenant(s) and the apartment building could have up to 3 floors but more often than not, 1 - 2 floor apartments are common in Tevragh Zeina, Teyarett, Toujounine, and Al Dar-Naim with a larger portion of duplexes more likely to be found in Tevragh Zeina and Teyarett. Bungalows and 1-floor apartments with only 2 tenants are more common in Toujounine and Al Dar-Naim.

So you may want to have this in mind if you prefer a private apartment with a private entrance/garage and no other tenant instead of a shared apartment. You may be lucky to find a shared apartment with each tenant having a private entrance. 

Rent is usually paid 3 months in advance, and a caution fee is not often requested. It depends on the property owner.

Utilities 

This depends on the environment where you rent your apartment and the apartment.

Electricity 

Some property owners do not allow renters to pay for this if they work with electricity companies as they get free electricity.  Other apartments pay per month based on consumption. Always check to know if there is an outstanding electricity and water bill owed by the previous tenants before renting an apartment in Mauritania. 

Water

In some neighborhoods, you may have to pay for water tanks to refill the inbuilt tank in the building. This ranges from 150/200 MRU (ougiya) per water tank hauled by donkeys and 500 MRU for extra large water bags brought by water trucks.

Other buildings have water pumps installed and connected to large reservoirs that flow into the entire apartment.  Water is supplied via underground pipes from the government and a water bill is sent at the end of the month. The charge is based on consumption.

Internet/WiFi

Chinguitel and Mattel are one of the best network providers. Chinguitel is faster in Toujounine and Dar Naim but Mattel seems to be a more popular choice in Tevragh Zeina and Al Dar-Naim.  

Mondays & Tuesdays are the best time to recharge your Chinguitel numbers as you get double the data and call credit. For example, you get 24GB instead of 12GB when you recharge 200 MRU for data with Chinguitel on Monday or Tuesday.  

Mattel's bonus days are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. On other days, you get 6GB for 200 MRU and 12GB on bonus days when you recharge 200 MRU. The pros are that while Mattel seems a bit slower, your data does not finish as fast as Chinguitel. 

Mattel does not offer a straightforward unlimited data plan, while you can activate an unlimited data plan for a month for 1,400 MRU with Chinguitel.

Wi-Fi is a life saver as the government cuts off power supply with or without reason sometimes.  Mauritel provides the fastest Wi-Fi connection and Mattel provides cheaper but slower alternatives.  You may need to check which of the two has more masts in the area you decide to leave in before paying for a Wi-Fi connection, as this determines which wifi provider to choose.

Clothes

Shopping for clothes as a thrifty shopper can't get any easier. Most used clothes are shipped from the United States and Europe. Islamic clothes like Abaya and Moroccan Thobes are brought in from Saudi, Dubai, and Morocco. Brand new-made in Mauritania house dresses are also super affordable. Designer clothes come with their prices but in this article, we are focusing on thrift shopping. 

Imported used clothes 

Fairly used adult and children's clothes can go as low as 20 MRU for first-grade clothing.

Simple Mauritanian ready to wear brand new house clothes 

These are hawked in hand by men on the street and are often multi-colored and lightweight with no lining. They are sleeveless and often worn with badly cut tops that were recycled for their sleeves. 

The lower parts of the stretchy tops are cut off and hidden beneath the sleeveless dresses. These allow women to wear sleeveless dresses with their arms fully covered to the wrist by makeshift tops (inner jackets). They cost 100 MRU per dress.

Brand new Abayas made in Mauritania 

These cost 200 MRU (2000 MRO) but are inferior in design and finishing when compared to their used counterparts imported from Saudi and Dubai. 

Used Abayas

These are mostly imported from Saudi and Dubai, and they go for 400 MRU (4000 MRO).

Moroccan Thobes

This cost 400 MRU and above.

Food shopping 

 

Food is cheap but negotiating prices each time doesn't make you a bad person. If the seller gives you a price and you negotiate a lower price with which he/she agrees, it means the final price is something they are still comfortable with. You are not cheating the locals. 

Tomatoes - 30/40 MRU (300/400 MRO)/kg

Potatoes - 35/40 MRU (350/400 MRO)/kg

Sweet potatoes - 35/40 MRU (350/400 MRO)/kg

Green pepper - 70 MRU (700 MRO)/kg

Yellow pepper - 70 MRU (700 MRO)/kg

Onions - 25 MRU (250 MRO)/kg

Rice - 35 MRU (350 MRO)/kg for short grain (non-Mauritania rice).

Big bottle of vegetable oil - 150 MRU (1500 MRO)

Packet of Maggie seasoning - 90 MRU (900 MRO).

Sugar - 150/160 MRU (1500/1600 MRO)/5kg

Bottle of salt - 35/40 MRU (350/400 MRO).

Bag of Chilli - 150 MRU (1500 MRO)/1kg

Tin/glass jar of Coffee - 180/250 MRU (1800/2500 MRO).

Mint tea - 10 MRU (100  MRO)

Beans - 90 MRU (900 MRO)/kg

Lentils - 80 MRU (800 MRO)/kg

Eggs - 180 MRU (1800 MRO)/per crate

Pasta - 40 MRU (400 MRO)

Couscous - 40 MRU (400 MRO)

Eggplant - 60 MRU (600 MRO)/kg

A small bottle of Fanta alternative - 10 MRU (100 MRO)

A small bottle of Coke alternative - 10 MRU (100 MRO)

Biscuits & Cookies - 10 MRU (100 MRO). This is the minimum price.

Fruits

Common fruits here are Oranges, apples, kiwi, watermelon, dates, grapes, tangerines, golden melon and mango (seasonal). Other fruits outside this list are hard to find except in certain supermarkets or special stores hidden deep in open road markets.

Oranges - 70 MRU (700 MRO)/kg

Apple - 80 MRU (800 MRO)/kg

A pack of dates - 60 MRU (600 MRO)

Meat

You will get a rude awakening when purchasing meat from the butcher shops. Bones are sold with meat and sellers will vehemently refuse to sell the meat without the huge chunks of bones. 

Insist on selecting meat cuts with fewer chunks of bones. This is a way to cheat people, and it is accepted here by locals, so in the end, your 3 kg of beef or Camel meat would be 1.8kg of meat, and the bones balance the 3 kg weight for you.

Some sellers are more flexible and would give you a different price for a cut of meat with no bone. This is a better deal even though the price is higher. At least you know that you are going home with 3 kg worth of beef. Others would not permit this, walk away, or ask them to give you solely meat for a different price and negotiate the new price. I paid 300 MRU for beef cuts with no bone. 

Chicken - 1000 MRU (10,000 MRO)/10kg

Beef - 200 MRU (3000 MRO)/kg

Goat - 220 MRU (2200 MRO)/per kg

Camel - 220 MRU (2200 MRO)/kg

Medical

The healthcare system in Mauritania is developing so you may need to keep in touch with doctors in your home country if you have certain health conditions that need to be carefully managed.

Language is a huge barrier, and many doctors are unfriendly, unprofessional, and undertrained. You may get better medical help if you speak French or Arabic as most medical professionals are impatient with English speakers and may react unprofessional when you whip out your translator application to communicate with them.

As an English speaker, look for someone who speaks English and French/ Arabic to help you translate at the hospital or make plans to sort your medical emergency in neighboring West African countries where medical professionals are multilingual with a more advanced medical sector.

Pharmacists here diagnose like doctors and, more often than not, would bypass your prescription.  Insist on the drugs you want or politely away if they refuse to provide it. Drugs are mostly from French pharmaceutical companies with fewer brand alternatives.  Prices of drugs vary based on the pharmacy. 

Home & Personal Items

There are many roadside shops that sell home and personal items in different parts of Nouakchott.  You can get readymade furniture on Facebook marketplace but they are often over priced. Most furniture shops display different furniture in front of their shops but most often than not, they are for display and you would be asked to wait for a few days to get the replica of the furniture you chose, made for you. 

In other places you can buy used furniture from the market where divorce women sell their furniture or buy used furniture on Facebook marketplace. Used furniture is a good idea if you do not plan to be in Mauritania more than a year. Selling off your furniture could be problematic and most likely would be at giveaway prices. So consider the length of time you intend to spend in the country before splurging on brand new furniture and appliances. 

Bedroom 

The prices listed here are for brand new bedroom items. Some of these items, especially the mobile wardrobe, can be gotten at the “China Market” (Chinese owned supermarket) in Tevragh Zeina. Others can be found in local shops across different parts of Nouakchott. 

Bed - 3,500 MRU (35,000 MRO)

Duvet  - 2000 MRU (20,000 MRO)

Pillow - Comes with the sofa

Metal Mobile wardrobe - 1,200 MRU (12,000 MRO)

Cloth Hangers (clothespins) - 200 MRU (2,000 MRO)/10 pcs

Mini Wooden shelves - 850 MRU (8,500 MRO)

Sofa - 4000 MRU (40,000 MRO) 

Used Standing fan - 900/1200 MRU (9000/12,000 MRO)

Carpet - 450 MRU (4,500 MRO) per metre

Blanket - 1000 MRU (10,000 MRO)

Bathroom 

China Market and Mauri center supermarket are excellent places to get a variety of bathroom items. Local stores may sell these essentials from a single brand with less options to choose from. Used washing machines are often displayed inside and outside stores in Nouakchott.  You can find brand new ones on Facebook marketplace with instalment payment plans or fixed prices listed below.

Washing machine 2000 MRU (20,000 MRO) for use and 8,000 MRU (80,000 - 150,000)/new.

Toilet brush - 15 MRU (150 MRO)

Bleach - 30 MRU (300 MRO)

Tide Detergent big pack - 200 MRU (2000 MRO). Supermarket price.

Detergent tiny sachets - 10 MRU (100  MRO)

Kitchen 

It's cheaper to buy your kitchen appliances in local stores but you would find the best array of cookware and dishware at the China Market. Moroccan markets (a cluster of stores owned by Morrocans in the capital) sell a wide range of quality aluminium cookware and kitchen utensils. 

Used fridges on the other hand are displayed inside and outside shops on the road. Most are imported from Europe. Make sure they are tested before you bring them home. Some sellers would charge the prices of new fridge, walking away is always a good option. 

There are so many sellers of used Fridge which is also why buying brand new would not be a good option if you do not intend to stay long term in the country. Haggle, haggle, haggle and enjoy the game. Don't be intimidated by the “you are a foreigner,  you are supposed to be rich” looks you will get. Have fun haggling, they would be secretly impressed. 

Tabletop stove - 1200 MRU (12,000 MRO)

Gas cylinder - 900 MRU (9,000 MRO) 

Gas pipes  + adaptor to hook up gas tank + hose - 1,100 MRU (11,000  MRO)

Pots, pans, dish racks - 150 MRU (1,500 MRO) and above.

Dishes & cutlery - 40 MRU (400 MRO) & above.

Blender -1800 MRU (18,000 MRO)

Used Fridge (mini) - 2,500 MRU (25,000 MRO) 

Used Fridge (standard ) - 5,000 MRU (50,000 MRO)

Liquid soap - 30 MRU (300 MRO)

Iron sponge - 10 MRU (100 MRO)

Beauty & Body

There are cosmetics stores all over Nouakchott but most often than not personal toiletries are found only in big supermarkets like Mauri center and China market.  Yes, most local stores don't sell mouthwash and even Toothpaste. China Market has a variety of cheap Eyelashes and Makeup. Local beauty stores sell limited brands of eyelashes and designer makeup brands. 

African hair salons for women are not easy to find. I'm still searching for hair extensions by the way. However, there are makeup stores for henna tattoos,  makeovers etc but if you are a black woman, you would find out that your shade of makeup is not something you can commonly find. There is a high demand for African hair salons and beauty salons. That could be a good business idea if you are a black woman moving to Mauritania.  

Body lotions - 150 MRU (1,500 MRO)

Hair cream - 100 MRU (1000 MRO)

Body spray - 100 MRU (1000 MRO)

Deodorant - 150 MRU (1500 MRO)

Mouthwash - 200 MRU (2000 MRO)

Toothpaste - 80 MRU (800 MRO)

Makeup - Unknown 

Eyelashes - 80 MRU (800 MRO/pack

Lipsticks - 60 MRU (600 MRO) 

Others & Cleaning Supplies 

Here we go, random teams and their prices. Prices vary based on shops with no more than 5/10 MRU difference. 

Cigarettes - 40 MRU (400 MRO)

Lighter - 10 MRU (100 MRO)

Long plastic brooms - 35/40 MRU (350/400 MRO)

Dustpan - 10 MRU (100 MRO)

Squeezy - 60 MRU (600 MRO)

Services

 

This is what I pay for but these prices may vary based on your location and the service provider. The prices are as low as I could negotiate so you can use this as a standard when negotiating prices.

Waste Disposal - 20 MRU (200   MRO)/waste (waste disposal kids that move big waste bags on a donkey)/400 MRU (4000 MRO) per month

Hair cut - 200 MRU (2000 MRO)

Braiding/ weave fix - Unknown 

Water pump materials + installation - 4000/5000 MRU (40,000/50,000 MRO).

Home cleaning -  200 MRU (2,000 MRO)

Private taxi - 100/200 MRU (1000/2000 MRO) within the same environment.  Price increases based on how long the driver waits for you and if it is a multi-distance car hire.

All sort supermarkets 

There are quite a number of big supermarkets in the capital but these are my favorite. They sell the randomest things possible and China Market Supermarket is the king of random supermarket stocks that are affordable.  Feel free to explore other supermarkets though as they sell things you can't easily find in the local stores.

Mauri center supermarket 

Here, you can buy books, stationery, pens, tea, mouthwash, Deodorants, big bottles of bleach, liquid soaps, and indomie.

China market (supermarket)

Makeup, knuckle rings, mobile wardrobes, electronics, kitchen, bathroom tools, center tables, shelves, toys, beauty, blenders, and all sorts of random items are sold here.

Moroccan markets

Here you can get fresh and dried Spices, blenders, incense, food containers, plastics, traditional kitchen utensils, aromatherapy oil, perfumes, herbs, and all sorts of tools. This is the Alibaba of Mauritania where you can get anything except clothes.

Conclusion

Now that you are aware of how much these essential items cost in Mauritania, keep in mind that some sellers won't bulge even when you tell them that you aren't paying anything except the standard prices. Well, you can always walk away and find other sellers or simply pay the prices they list out for you.

Don't forget to leave a comment telling us how much you love this article or feel free to ask us any questions you have in mind concerning Mauritania.  We love to hear from you.

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